THE Football League's fixture computer obviously has a heart. An all-Wales derby on St David's Day is a mouth-watering prospect.

Swansea are fourth from bottom of the third division and on a mini-roll after being marooned for much of the season. Wrexham are sixth from top, and are one of five upwardly-mobile sides on 49 points - which shows just how tight and tense it is in and around the play-off zone.

There is national pride at stake today at the Vetch, but for both teams there is also the matter of vital points. The added twist to the clash is the presence of Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves in the home dugout.

Some Reds fans never liked or appreciated the Flynn-Reeves regime. It soon grew 'stale', the tactics pursued were 'inflexible', and the manager in particular was attacked for his 'aloofness' from fans and the media.

I had my criticisms too, but when the experienced double-act exited North Wales 18 months ago I had no doubt that they would soon be back in employment. Whatever your opinion, there is no questioning the knowledge, hard work and determination that the two men bring to their trade.

When Swansea appointed Nick Cusack as player-manager after snubbing Flynn last summer, I sensed they had made a big mistake, and so it was to prove.

It was a short-sighted decision, and it was only a matter of time before they went cap in hand to the ex-Wrexham boss with the offer of the hot-seat - this time saying that Reeves could join him as number two.

The new management duo have had a mixed time of it so far, but after a bout of poor results, the Swans seem to be pulling out of trouble at last.

In this, of course, they have been aided by the "Wrexham Connection". By this, I do not just mean the manager and his assistant, but also others.

Former Racecourse hero Steve Watkin is back in favour at the Vetch (18 appearances, 2 goals this season), even though there are persistent rumours to the effect that he wishes to end his playing career in North Wales, not South Wales.

Meanwhile, ex-Reds winger Kieron Durkan signed up for Flynn and Reeves on January 8 this year, and has so far played four games for the all-whites.

It might even have been three ex-Wrexham players on the books. In a recent interview, Dragons reject Robin Gibson revealed: "When Brian Flynn took over at Swansea, they were interested, but they didn't really have the money at the club to bring in new players; otherwise I would be at the Vetch now. That's how it goes."

I hope that the home side get nothing out of today's fixture, but I do wish them well in their relegation battle. The experience that Flynn and Reeves gained in the late-1980s and early-1990s when Wrexham were fighting for their league survival should come in very handy, and given this, I definitely predict that the Swans will stay up.